Description:

Milne A.A.

Single page LS, 5.5" x 7.5", signed by A.A. Milne in full signature of "A.A. Milne". With Twenty-one individual autographed letters signed and written by Daff (Daphne Milne) on behalf of her and her husband A.A. Milne to their friends, the Seligmans. Most 5.5" x 7.5". All with expected folds, else near fine.

The Milnes would come to develop a very long term friendship with Vincent and Barbara Seligman that would last over 30 years. The letters although undated, follow the lives of the Milne family beginning about 1920, and continue through the purchase of their home in the country, Cotchford farm in 1924 (just after the first book of the Pooh series was published, When We Were Very Young), and continues beyond the success of Winnie The Pooh, with the final letter noting that Christopher Robin is in Boarding school.

Vincent Seligman was a writer and as such he and Alan had a mutual interest in the literary genre and the arts. Seligman, a descendant of a German Jewish mercantile family that emigrated to the USA and London in the 19th century. Seligman had dedicated his 1923 book, Oxford Oddities, to Milne. In return he was recipient of a specially inscribed copy of one of the 20 deluxe copies of The House at Pooh Corner in 1928, as well as the manuscript of Milne's play Michael and Mary, inscribed and specially bound as a joint wedding present, in 1930.

Some of the revealing comments penned by Daff within the letters are:

"Vincent dear .. Monday Blue (A.A. Milne's nickname ) has got one of his literary society Dinners. Will you come and console me?"

"We are beginning to get excited over "The Dover Road' + the cast is now practically complete."

(The Dover Road was Milne's first highly successful play, performed beginning in 1922 -- just before the success of Pooh)

"March 10

"I am so glad you are seeing the Punch verses. Aren't the Shepard drawing adorable + so exactly right."

(Ernest Shepard was the infamous illustrator for the Pooh series and others …)

"Alan is at this moment deep (and with very rumpled hair) in a poem he is writing for the Star for Christmas eve. A very new departure for them!"

"(A.A. Milne), His aged father has just died, + Blue had to go into the country yesterday to the funeral …'

"Moon (Christopher Robin's nickname) has gone to his Boarding school + we are feeling extremely quiet!"

A wonderful look spanning over a decade inside the life of A.A and Daff Milne through her letters to the Seligmans.

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